The first U.S. Open took place in 1900 and had a mere 28
participants. No one then could've predicted the immense influence the
tournament would have on American chess

In 1957, a 13-year-old Bobby Fischer played in the U.S.
Open in Cleveland, Ohio. Although he was only a National Master at that point,
he shared first place with GM Arthur Bisguier (the U.S. Champion at the time)
and won the title on tiebreaks.

Winning the tournament set Fischer on the path to elite Grandmaster.
Within months, his rating rose to above 2600, and he became the U.S. Champion.

Bisguier himself later recalled this transformation: "Who could have seen in the early
stages, by not winning against Fischer, I created a Frankenstein!"

Here is the
momentous game between the two:

The list of first-class players who've won the event is stunning.

Fischer's former rival and ex-world champion, Boris
Spassky, tied for first along with prominent American Grandmasters, Yasser
Seirawan and Joel Benjamin, in 1985 in Hollywood, Florida.

Super-GM Judit Polgar tied for first with GM Boris Gulko
in 1998 in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii. Polgar was once ranked number 8 in the world
and her peak rating of 2735 is in the top 50 highest ratings in history.

Here is her must-win last round game against GM Joel
Benjamin.

Benjamin, three-time U.S. Champion, has won the U.S. Open
himself on three occasions: Florida in 1985, Massachusetts in 2001, and Arizona
in 2005 (in fact, at the same location as this year).

American chess icon, GM Walter Browne, won the tournament
consecutively in 1971 and 1972.

Here is Browne's epic defeat of GM William Lombardy, who
was Bobby Fischer's second in the 1972 World Championship Match. Lombardy vs.
Browne

This leads us to the question: Who will win this year's
U.S. Open?

Let's take a look at the top players in the field:

Last Year's Winner

GM Conrad Holt

Holt is the defending U.S. Open Champion. He won last
year's tournament in Orlando, Florida by coming out victorious in an Armageddon
blitz tiebreak playoff against IM Michael Mulyer.

Top-RatedGM Aleksandr
Lenderman

With a US Chess rating of 2728, Lenderman is currently
the highest rated competitor, giving him the high-pressure task of beginning the
tournament at the top board.

Lenderman thrives at open tournaments: He won the World
Open earlier this summer. He's also won the Long Island Open (2014), the
Atlantic Open (2013), the North American Open (2013), the National Open (2012),
and the Continental Open (2010). Additionally, he was the U.S. Open Champion in
2011, and he is ranked #7 in the country. Past US Open
Champions
Four other competitors will also be searching for their
second U.S. Open Champion title. GM Alejandro
Ramirez
Ramirez won clear first at the U.S. Open in Irvine,
California in 2010. Additionally, he was the runner-up in U.S. Championship in
2013. Ranked #13 in the country, he is a formidable opponent for anyone. GM Mackenzie
Molner
Molner won the event when it was located in Madison,
Wisconsin in 2013. He's also won the American Open (2013), the Michigan Chess
Festival (2013), the North American Masters (2010), and the Denker Tournament
of Champions (2004). Currently residing in Arizona, he will have the home court
advantage. IM John Bryant Bryant tied for first in Vancouver, Washington in 2012
and is an ever-improving competitor, not to be underestimated. IM Timothy Taylor
Taylor shared first prize in the tournament in Columbus,
Ohio in 1977. Although much time has passed since then, he has remained an
active competitor and an avid chess book writer over the years.

The U.S. Open is geographically dynamic and has stretched
its reach to over 60 cities. It leaps back and forth across the country
annually, allowing for a fresh field of competitors every year.

This year's U.S. Open will be hosted in Phoenix, Arizona
at the Biltmore Resort. The Biltmore is known as the "Jewel of the Desert,"
featuring 39 acres-worth of gorgeous fountains, expansive ballrooms, and elaborate
gardens.

The resort has an endless supply of distractions,
including eight swimming pools (such as The Catalina Pool, which was frequented
by Marilyn Monroe), poolside parties and outdoor movies, a tennis center, an
award-winning spa, and a lawn dedicated to a giant chess set.
The U.S. Open is also known for having an array of side
events:

·The National Championships for Blitz and Game/15: for those who
prefer to begin the game in time pressure

·A weekend swiss tournament: for those who can't spare a day off
work·A bughouse tournament: for those who prefer chess pieces appearing out
of nowhere·Golf and tennis tournaments: for those who prefer to take a break from chess
altogether

Additionally, three scholastic championships are held
concurrently to the U.S. Open: